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Easy • weeknight dinners

20-Minute Coconut Chicken Curry

A creamy, mildly spiced coconut chicken curry that comes together faster than takeout — and tastes better.

Prep
5 min
Cook
15 min
Servings
4
Level
Easy
20-Minute Coconut Chicken Curry

This is a true 20-minute dinner: tender chicken simmered in a fragrant coconut sauce that's warming but mild enough for the whole family. The sauce builds in layers — onion, garlic, ginger, curry powder, then a quick simmer in coconut milk — and the chicken poaches gently until it's silky and tender. Serve over rice or with warm naan to mop up every last bit.

Ingredients

Yield: 4 servings

  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 2 tablespoons mild curry powder
  • 1 (14-ounce) can full-fat coconut milk
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • Juice of 1/2 lime
  • Fresh cilantro and lime wedges, for serving
  • Cooked rice, for serving

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 4 minutes.

  2. Step 2

    Stir in the garlic, ginger, and curry powder. Cook for 1 minute, until very fragrant.

  3. Step 3

    Pour in the coconut milk and stir in the tomato paste and salt. Bring to a gentle simmer.

  4. Step 4

    Add the chicken in a single layer. Simmer over medium-low heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly.

  5. Step 5

    Stir in the lime juice. Taste and add more salt if needed. Serve over rice with plenty of cilantro and a lime wedge on the side.

Tips

  • For more depth, use a Madras or yellow curry powder you love — that's where most of the flavor comes from.
  • Add a handful of baby spinach in the last minute for color and greens.
  • If the sauce is too thick, thin with a splash of water or chicken broth.

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